Kerry visit off after Abbas moves to join U.N. agencies

By JODI RUDOREN AND MICHAEL R. GORDON THE NEW YORK TIMES

Posted: April 2, 2014 at 5:34 a.m.

MAJDI MOHAMMED
Credit: AP
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (seated), joined by Palestinian chief peace negotiator Saeb Erekat, signs an application to join U.N. agencies in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday.

President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority signed papers Tuesday to join 15 international agencies, threatening a breakdown in Mideast peace talks.